Athens.
Flaminius waiting, Enter a servant to him.
Servant.
I have told my lord of you; he is coming down to you.
Flam.
I thank you, Sir.
Enter Lucullus.
Ser.
Here's my lord.
Lucul.
One of lord Timon's men; a gift, I warrant—
Why, this hits right: I dreamt of a silver bason and ewre
to night. Flaminius, honest Flaminius, you are very respectively
welcome, Sir; fill me some wine. And how
does that honourable, compleat, free-hearted Gentleman
of Athens, thy very bountiful good lord and master?
Flam.
His health is well, Sir.
Lucul.
I am right glad that his health is well, Sir; and
what hast thou there under thy cloak, pretty Flaminius?
Flam.
Faith, nothing but an empty box, Sir, which in
my lord's behalf, I come to entreat your Honour to supply;
who having great and instant occasion to use fifty
-- 252 --
talents, hath sent to your lordship to furnish him, nothing
doubting your present assistance therein.
Lucul.
La, la, la, la,—Nothing doubting, says he?
alas, good lord, a noble gentleman 'tis, if he would not
keep so good a house. Many a time and often I ha' din'd
with him, and told him on't; and come again to supper
to him, on purpose to have him spend less. And yet he
would embrace no counsel, take no warning by my Coming;
every man hath his fault, and honesty is his. I ha'
told him on't, but I could never get him from't.
Enter a servant, with wine.
Ser.
Please your lordship, here is the wine.
Lucul.
Flaminius, I have noted thee always wise.
Here's to thee.
Flam.
Your lordship speaks your pleasure.
Lucul.
I have observ'd thee always for a towardly
prompt spirit, give thee thy due: and one that knows
what belongs to reason; and canst use the time well, if
the time use thee well. Good parts in thee—Get you gone,
sirrah. [To the servant, who goes out]—Draw nearer,
honest Flaminius; thy lord's a bountiful gentleman, but
thou art wise, and thou knowest well enough (altho' thou
comest to me) that this is no time to lend mony, especially
upon bare friendship without security. Here's three Solidares
for thee; good boy, wink at me, and say, thou
saw'st me not. Fare thee well.
Flam.
Is't possible the world should so much differ,
And we alive that liv'd? fly, damned baseness,
To him that worships thee.
[Throwing the mony away.
Lucul.
Ha! now I see thou art a fool, and fit for thy
master.
[Exit Lucullus.
Flam.
May these add to the number that may scald thee:
Let molten coin be thy damnation,
Thou disease of a friend, and not himself!
Has friendship such a faint and milky heart,
It turns in less than two nights? O you gods!
I feel my master's passion. This slave
Unto this hour has my lord's meat in him:
Why should it thrive, and turn to nutriment,
-- 253 --
When he is turn'd to poison?
O! may diseases only work upon't:
And when he's sick to death, let not that part
Of nature, my lord paid for, be of power
To expel sickness, but prolong his hour!(16) note
[Exit.
Scene 2
SCENE, a publick Street.
Enter Lucius, with three strangers.
Luc.
Who, the lord Timon? he is my very good
friend, and an honourable gentleman.
1 Stran.
We know him for no less, tho' we are but
strangers to him. But I can tell you one thing, my lord,
and which I hear from common rumours, now lord Timon's
happy hours are done and past, and his estate shrinks from
him.
Luc.
Fye, no, do not believe it: he cannot want for
mony.
2 Stran.
But believe you this, my lord, that not long
ago one of his men was with the lord Lucullus, to borrow
fifty talents, nay, urg'd extremely for't, and shewed what
necessity belong'd to't, and yet was deny'd.
Luc.
How?
2 Stran.
I tell you, deny'd, my lord.
Luc.
What a strange case was that? now, before the
Gods, I am asham'd on't. Deny'd that honourable man?
there was very little honour shew'd in that. For my own
part, I must needs confess, I have received some small
kindnesses from him, as mony, plate, jewels, and such
-- 254 --
like trifles, nothing comparing to his; yet had he mistook
him, and sent him to me, I should ne'er have deny'd his
occasion so many talents.
Enter Servilius.
Ser.
See, by good hap, yonder's my lord, I have sweat
to see his Honour.—My honour'd lord—
[To Lucius.
Luc.
Servilius! you are kindly met, Sir. Fare thee
well, commend me to thy honourable virtuous lord, my
very exquisite friend.
Ser.
May it please your Honour, my lord hath sent—
Luc.
Ha! What hath he sent? I am so much endear'd
to that lord; he's ever sending: how shall I thank him,
think'st thou? and what has he sent now?
Ser.
H'as only sent his present occasion now, my lord;
requesting your lordship to supply his instant use, with
fifty talents.
Luc.
I know, his lordship is but merry with me;
He cannot want fifty five hundred talents.
Ser.
But in the mean time he wants less, my lord.
If his occasion were not virtuous,
I should not urge it half so faithfully.
Luc.
Dost thou speak seriously, Servilius?
Ser.
Upon my soul, 'tis true, Sir.
Luc.
What a wicked beast was I, to disfurnish my self
against such a good time, when I might ha' shewn my self
honourable? how unluckily it hapned, that I should purchase
the day before for a little(17) note
dirt, and undo a
great deal of honour? Servilius, now before the gods, I
-- 255 --
am not able to do—(the more beast, I say)—I
was sending to use lord Timon my self, these gentlemen
can witness; but I would not, for the wealth of Athens,
I had don't now. Commend me bountifully to his good
lordship, and, I hope, his Honour will conceive the fairest
of me, because I have no power to be kind. And tell
him this from me, I count it one of my greatest afflictions,
that I cannot pleasure such an honourable gentleman.
Good Servilius, will you befriend me so far, as to use my
own words to him?
Ser.
Yes, Sir, I shall.
[Exit Servilius.
Luc.
I'll look ye out a good turn, Servilius—
True, as you said, Timon is shrunk, indeed;
And he, that's once deny'd, will hardly speed.
[Exit.
1 Stran.
Do you observe this, Hostilius?
2 Stran.
Ay, too well.
1 Stran.
Why, this is the world's soul;
Of the same piece is every flatterer's spirit:(18) note
Who can call him his friend,
That dips in the same dish? for, in my knowing,
Timon has been to this lord as a father,
And kept his credit with his bounteous purse:
Supported his estate; nay, Timon's mony
Has paid his men their wages. He ne'er drinks,
But Timon's Silver treads upon his lip;
And yet, oh, see the monstrousness of man,
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!
-- 256 --
He does deny him (in respect of his)
What charitable men afford to beggars.
3 Stran.
Religion groans at it.
1 Stran.
For mine own part,
I never tasted Timon in my life;
Nor any of his bounties came o'er me,
To mark me for his friend. Yet, I protest,
For his right noble mind, illustrious virtue,
And honourable carriage,
Had his necessity made use of me,
I would have put my wealth into donation,
And the best half should have return'd to him,
So much I love his heart: but I perceive,
Men must learn now with pity to dispence,
For policy sits above conscience.
[Exeunt.
Enter a third Servant with Sempronius.
Sem.
Must he needs trouble me in't? 'bove all others?—
He might have tried lord Lucius, or Lucullus,
And now Ventidius is wealthy too,
Whom he redeem'd from prison: All these three
Owe their estates unto him.
Ser.
Oh, my lord,
They've all been touch'd, and all are found base metal;
For they have all deny'd him.
Sem.
How? deny'd him?
Ventidius and Lucullus both deny'd him?
And does he send to me? three! hum—
It shews but little love or judgment in him.
Must I be his last refuge? his friends, like physicians,(19) note
Thriv'd, give him over? must I take the cure
-- 257 --
On me? h'as much disgrac'd me in't; I'm angry.
He might have known my Place; I see no sense for't,
But his occasions might have wooed me first:
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him.
And does he think so backwardly of me,
That I'll requite it last? no:
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To th' rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool:
I'd rather than the worth of thrice the sum,
H'ad sent to me first, but for my mind's sake:
I'd such a courage to have done him good.
But now return,
And with their faint Reply this Answer join;
Who bates mine honour, shall not know my coin.
[Exit.
Ser.
Excellent! your lordship's a goodly villain. The
devil knew not what he did, when he made man politick;
he cross'd himself by't; and I cannot think, but in the
end the villanies of man will fet him clear. How fairly
this lord strives to appear foul? takes virtuous copies to
be wicked: like those that under hot, ardent, zeal would
set whole Realms on fire. Of such a nature is his politick
love.
This was my lord's best hope; now all are fled,
Save the Gods only. Now his friends are dead;
Doors, that were ne'er acquainted with their wards
Many a bounteous year, must be employ'd
Now to guard sure their master.
And this is all a liberal course allows;
Who cannot keep his wealth, must keep his house.
[Exit.
-- 258 --
Scene 3
SCENE changes to Timon's Hall.
Enter Varro, Titus, Hortensius, Lucius, and other servants
of Timon's creditors, who wait for his coming out.
Var.
Well met, good morrow, Titus and Hortensius.
Tit.
The like to you, kind Varro.
Hor.
Lucius, why do we meet together?
Luc.
I think, one business does command us all.
For mine is mony.
Tit.
So is theirs and ours.
Enter Philotas.
Luc.
And Sir Philotas's too.
Phi.
Good day, at once.
Luc.
Welcome, good brother. What d'you think the
hour?
Phi.
Labouring for nine.
Luc.
So much?
Phi.
Is not my lord seen yet?
Luc.
Not yet.
Phi.
I wonder: he was wont to shine at seven.
Luc.
Ay, but the days are waxed shorter with him:
You must consider that a Prodigal's Course
Is like the sun's, but not like his recoverable, I fear:
'Tis deepest winter in lord Timon's purse;
That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet
Find little.
Phi.
I am of your fear for that.
Tit.
I'll shew you how t' observe a strange event:
Your lord sends now for mony.
Hor.
True, he does.
Tit.
And he wears jewels now of Timon's gift,
For which I wait for mony.
Hor.
Against my heart.
Luc.
How strange it shows,
Timon in this should pay more than he owes!
And e'en as if your lord should wear rich jewels,
And send for mony for 'em.
-- 259 --
Hor.
I'm weary of this charge, the Gods can witness:
I know, my lord hath spent of Timon's wealth,
Ingratitude now makes it worse than stealth.
Var.
Yes, mine's three thousand crowns: what's yours?
Luc.
Five thousand.
Var.
'Tis too much deep, and it should seem by th'sum,
Your master's confidence was above mine;
Else, surely, his had equall'd.
Enter Flaminius.
Tit.
One of lord Timon's men.
Luc.
Flaminius! Sir, a word: pray, is my lord
Ready to come forth?
Flam.
No, indeed, he is not.
Tit.
We attend his lordship; pray, signifie so much.
Flam.
I need not tell him that, he knows you are too
diligent.
Enter Flavius in a cloak, muffled.
Luc.
Ha! is not that his Steward muffled so?
He goes away in a cloud: call him, call him.
Tit.
Do you hear, Sir—
Var.
By your leave, Sir.
Fla.
What do you ask of me, my friend?
Tit.
We wait for certain mony here, Sir.
Fla.
If mony were as certain as your waiting,
'Twere sure enough.
Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills,
When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?
Then they would smile and fawn upon his debts,
And take down th' interest in their glutt'nous maws;
You do your selves but wrong to stir me up,
Let me pass quietly:—
Believe't, my lord and I have made an end,
I have no more to reckon, he to spend.
Luc.
Ay, but this answer will not serve.
Fla.
If 'twill not serve, 'tis not so base as you;
For you serve knaves.
[Exit.
Var.
How! what does his cashier'd worship mutter?
-- 260 --
Tit.
No matter, what.—he's poor, and that's revenge
enough. Who can speak broader than he that has no
house to put his head in? Such may rail against great
Buildings.
Enter Servilius.
Tit.
Oh, here's Servilius; now we shall have some answer.
Ser.
If I might beseech you, gentlemen, to repair some
other hour, I should derive much from it. For take it
of my soul,
My lord leans wondrously to discontent:
His comfortable temper has forsook him,
He is much out of health, and keeps his chamber.
Luc.
Many do keep their chambers, are not sick:
And if he be so far beyond his health,
Methinks, he should the sooner pay his debts,
And make a clear way to the Gods.
Ser.
Good Gods!
Tit.
We cannot take this for an answer.
Flam. [within.]
Servilius, help—my lord! my lord.
Enter Timon, in a rage.
Tim.
What, are my doors oppos'd against my passage?
Have I been ever free, and must my house
Be my retentive enemy, my goal?
The place, which I have feasted, does it now,
Like all mankind, shew me an iron heart?
Luc.
Put in now, Titus.
Tit.
My lord, here's my bill.
Luc.
Here's mine.
Var.
And mine, my lord.
Cap.
And ours, my lord!
Phi.
And our bills.
Tim.
Knock me down with 'em—cleave me to the
girdle.
Luc.
Alas, my lord.
Tim.
Cut out my heart in sums.
Tit.
Mine, fifty talents.
-- 261 --
Tim.
Tell out my blood.
Luc.
Five thousand crowns, my lord.
Tim.
Five thousand drops pay that.
What yours—and yours?
Var.
My lord—
Cap.
My lord—
Tim.
Here tear me, take me, and the Gods fall on you.
[Exit.
Hor.
Faith, I perceive, our masters may throw their
caps at their mony; these debts may be well call'd desperate
ones, for a mad man owes 'em.
[Exeunt.
Re-enter Timon and Flavius.
Tim.
They have e'en put my breath from me, the slaves.
Creditors!—devils.
Fla.
My dear lord,
Tim.
What if it should be so?—
Fla.
My dear lord,
Tim.
I'll have it so—My steward!
Fla.
Here, my lord.
Tim.
So fitly!—Go, bid all my friends again,
Lucius, Lucullus, and Sempronius. All.—
I'll once more feast the rascals.
Fla.
O my lord!
You only speak from your distracted soul;
There's not so much left as to furnish out
A moderate table.
Tim.
Be it not thy care:
Go, and invite them all, let in the tide
Of knaves once more: my Cook and I'll provide.
[Exeunt.
Scene 4
SCENE changes to the Senate-house.
Senators, and Alcibiades.
1 Sen.
My lord, you have my voice to't, the fault's bloody;
'Tis necessary he should die:
Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.
-- 262 --
2 Sen.
Most true; the law shall bruise 'em.
Alc.
Health, Honour, and Compassion to the senate!
1 Sen.
Now, Captain.
Alc.
I am an humble suitor to your Virtues:
For Pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but Tyrants use it cruelly.
It pleases time and fortune to lie heavy
Upon a friend of mine, who in hot blood
Hath stept into the law, which is past depth
To those that without heed do plunge into't.
He is a man, setting his fault aside,
Of virtuous honour, which buys out his fault;
Nor did he soil the fact with cowardise,
But with a noble fury, and fair spirit,
Seeing his reputation touch'd to death,
He did oppose his foe:
And with such sober and unnoted passion
He did behave his anger ere 'twas spent,
As if he had but prov'd an argument.
1 Sen.
You undergo too strict a Paradox,
Striving to make an ugly Deed look fair:
Your words have took such pains, as if they labour'd
To bring Man-slaughter into form, set quarrelling
Upon the head of valour; which, indeed,
Is valour mis-begot, and came into the world
When sects and factions were but newly born.
He's truly valiant, that can wisely suffer
The worst that man can breathe, and make his wrongs
His out-sides, wear them like his rayment, carelesly,
And ne'er prefer his injuries to his heart,
To bring it into danger.
If wrongs be evils, and inforce us kill,
What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill?
Alc.
My lord,—
1 Sen.
You cannot make gross sins look clear,
It is not valour to revenge, but bear.
Alc.
My lords, then, under favour, pardon me,
If I speak like a Captain.
Why do fond men expose themselves to battel,
And not endure all threatnings, sleep upon't,
-- 263 --
And let the foes quietly cut their throats,
Without repugnancy? but if there be
Such valour in the bearing, what make we
Abroad? why then, sure, women are more valiant,
That stay at home, if bearing carry it;
The ass, more than the lion; and the fellow,
Loaden with irons, wiser than the judge;
If wisdom be in suff'ring. Oh my lords,
As you are great, be pitifully good:
Who cannot condemn Rashness in cold blood?
To kill, I grant, is sin's extreamest gust,
But, in defence,—by mercy, 'tis most just.
To be in anger is impiety:
But who is man, that is not angry?
Weigh but the crime with this.
2 Sen.
You breathe in vain.
Alc.
In vain? his Service done
At Lacedæmon, and Byzantium,
Were a sufficient briber for his life.
1 Sen.
What's that?
Alc.
I say, my lords, h'as done fair service,
And slain in battle many of your enemies;
How full of valour did he bear himself
In the last Conflict, and made plenteous wounds?
2 Sen.
He has made too much plenty with 'em,
He's a sworn rioter; he has a sin
That often drowns him, and takes valour prisoner.
Were there no foes, that were enough alone
To overcome him. In that beastly fury
He has been known to commit outrages,
And cherish factions. 'Tis inferr'd to us,
His days are foul, and his Drink dangerous.
1 Sen.
He dies.
Alc.
Hard fate! he might have died in war.
My lords, if not for any parts in him,
(Though his right arm might purchase his own time,
And be in debt to none;) yet more to move you,
Take my Deserts to his, and join 'em both.
And for I know, your reverend ages love
Security, I'll pawn my victories,
-- 264 --
My Honours to you, on his good returns.
If by this crime he owes the law his life,
Why, let the war receive't in valiant gore;
For law is strict, and war is nothing more.
1 Sen.
We are for law, he dies, urge it no more,
On height of our displeasure: friend, or brother,
He forfeits his own blood, that spills another.
Alc.
Must it be so? it must not be:
My lords, I do beseech you, know me.
2 Sen.
How?
Alc.
Call me to your remembrances.
3 Sen.
What!—
Alc.
I cannot think, but your age hath forgot me;
It could not else be, I should prove so base,
To sue, and be deny'd such common grace.
My wounds ake at you.
1 Sen.
Do you dare our anger?
'Tis in few words, but spacious in effect;
We banish thee for ever.
Alc.
Banish me!
Banish your Dotage, banish Usury,
That make the Senate ugly.
1 Sen.
If, after two days shine, Athens contains thee,
Attend our weightier judgment.
And, (not to swell our spirit,)
He shall be executed presently.
[Exeunt.
Alc.
Gods keep you old enough, that you may live
Only in bone, that none may look on you!
I'm worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
While they have told their mony, and let out
Their coin upon large interest; I my self,
Rich only in large hurts.—All those, for this?
Is this the balsam that the usuring senate
Pours into Captains wounds? ha! Banishment?
It comes not ill: I hate not to be banisht,
It is a cause worthy my spleen and fury,
That I may strike at Athens. I'll cheer up
My discontented troops, and lay for hearts.
'Tis honour with most lands to be at odds;
Soldiers as little should brook wrongs, as Gods.
[Exit.
-- 265 --
Scene 5
SCENE changes to Timon's House.
Enter divers Senators, at several doors.
1 Sen.
The good time of the day to you, Sir.
2 Sen.
I also wish it to you: I think, this
honourable lord did but try us this other day.
1 Sen.
Upon That were my thoughts tiring, when we
encountred. I hope, it is not so low with him, as he
made it seem in the tryal of his several friends.
2 Sen.
It should not be, by the perswasion of his new
feasting.
1 Sen.
I should think so: he hath sent me an earnest
inviting, which many my near occasions did urge me to
put off: but he hath conjur'd me beyond them, and I
must needs appear.
2 Sen.
In like manner was I in debt to my importunate
business; but he would not hear my excuse. I am sorry,
when he sent to borrow of me, that my provision was out.
1 Sen.
I am sick of that grief too, as I understand how
all things go.
2 Sen.
Every man here's so. What would he have
borrow'd of you?
1 Sen.
A thousand pieces.
2 Sen.
A thousand pieces!
1 Sen.
What of you?
3 Sen.
He sent to me, Sir—here he comes.
Enter Timon and attendants.
Tim.
With all my heart, gentlemen both—and how
fare you?
1 Sen.
Ever at the best, hearing well of your lordship.
2 Sen.
The Swallow follows not summer more willingly,
than we your lordship.
Tim.
Nor more willingly leaves winter: such summer-birds
are men.—Gentlemen, our dinner will not recompense
this long stay: feast your ears with the musick a
while; if they will fare so harshly as on the trumpets sound:
we shall to't presently.
-- 266 --
1 Sen.
I hope, it remains not unkindly with your lordship,
that I return'd you an empty messenger.
Tim.
O Sir, let it not trouble you.
2 Sen.
My noble lord.
Tim.
Ah, my good friend, what cheer?
[The banquet brought in.
2 Sen.
Most honourable lord, I'm e'en sick of shame,
that when your lordship t'other day sent to me, I was so
unfortunate a beggar.
Tim.
Think not on't, Sir.
2 Sen.
If you had sent but two hours before—
Tim.
Let it not cumber your better remembrance.
Come, bring in all together.
2 Sen.
All cover'd dishes!
1 Sen.
Royal cheer, I warrant you.
3 Sen.
Doubt not that, if mony and the season can yield it.
1 Sen.
How do you? what's the news?
3 Sen.
Alcibiades is banish'd: hear you of it?
Both.
Alcibiades banish'd!
3 Sen.
'Tis so, be sure of it.
1 Sen.
How? how?
2 Sen.
I pray you, upon what?
Tim.
My worthy friends, will you draw near?
3 Sen.
I'll tell ye more anon. Here's a noble feast toward.
2 Sen.
This is the old man still.
3 Sen.
Will't hold? will't hold?
2 Sen.
It does, but time will, and so—
3 Sen.
I do conceive.
Tim.
Each man to his stool, with that spur as he would
to the lip of his mistress: your diet shall be in all places
alike. Make not a city-feast of it, to let the meat cool ere
we can agree upon the first place. Sit, sit.
The Gods require our thanks.
You great Benefactors, sprinkle our society with thankfulness.
For your own gifts make your selves prais'd: but reserve still
to give, lest your Deities be despised. Lend to each man enough,
that one need not lend to another. For were your Godheads to
borrow of men, men would forsake the Gods. Make the meat
beloved, more than the man that gives it. Let no assembly of
-- 267 --
twenty be without a score of villains. If there sit twelve
women at the table, let a dozen of them be as they are—
The rest of your fees, O Gods, the senators of Athens, together
with the common lag of people, what is amiss in them, you Gods,
make suitable for destruction. For these my friends—as
they are to me nothing, so in nothing bless them, and to nothing
are they welcome.
Uncover, dogs, and lap.
Some speak.
What does his lordship mean?
Some other.
I know not.
Tim.
May you a better feast never behold,
You knot of mouth-friends: smoke, and lukewarm water
Is your perfection. This is Timon's last;
Who stuck and spangled you with flatteries,
Washes it off, and sprinkles in your faces
Your reaking villany. Live loath'd, and long,
Most smiling, smooth, detested Parasites,
Courteous destroyers, affable wolves, meek bears,
You fools of fortune, trencher-friends, time-flies,
Cap-and-knee slaves, vapors, and minute-jacks,(20) note
Of man and beast the infinite malady
Crust you quite o'er!—What, dost thou go?
Soft, take thy physick first—thou too—and thou—
[Throwing the dishes at them, and drives 'em out.
Stay, I will lend thee mony, borrow none.
What! all in motion? henceforth be no feast,
-- 268 --
Whereat a villain's not a welcome guest.
Burn House, sink Athens, henceforth hated be
Of Timon, man, and all humanity!
[Exit.
Re-enter the Senators.
1 Sen.
How now, my lords?
2 Sen.
Know you the quality of lord Timon's fury!
3 Sen.
Psha! did you see my cap?
4 Sen.
I've lost my gown.
1 Sen.
He's but a mad lord, and nought but humour
sways him. He gave me a jewel th' other day, and
now he has beat it out of my cap. Did you see my
jewel?
2 Sen.
Did you see my cap?
3 Sen.
Here 'tis.
4 Sen.
Here lyes my gown.
1 Sen.
Let's make no stay.
2 Sen.
Lord Timon's mad.
3 Sen.
I feel't upon my bones.
4 Sen.
One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones.
[Exeunt.
Lewis Theobald [1733], The works of Shakespeare: in seven volumes. Collated with the Oldest Copies, and Corrected; With notes, Explanatory and Critical; By Mr. Theobald (Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch [and] J. Tonson [etc.], London) [word count] [S11201].
